Yuri Rytkheu

Yuri Rytkheu (1930-2008) was a Chukchi author of literary fiction novels. He is considered the father of Chukchi literature, and wrote both in Chukchi and Russian. He studied at Leningrad State University, and had some of his works published in periodicals. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the former Soviet states would no longer publish his works, as he was a member of the Communist Party. He considered moving to the U.S., but the Swiss publisher Unionsverlag signed Rytkheu, and introduced his works to various countries in Europe and Asia. Rytkheu passed away in 2008 from myeloma, and his buried next to his wife.